They shook hands and Robert sat down opposite her, with a self-assured smile.
I hope this is not going to take too long?
, he said, and pointed at his expensive-looking watch.
The initial conversation is about 30mins
, Athena said, and
sometimes this is enough, sometimes we recommend further sessions and programmes -- depending on the case.
His case was pretty standard. Five times over the speeding limit, once caught with alcohol in the blood - not a lot, but enough to have his driving licence temporarily suspended and having to come here, to talk with a registered psychologist.
Why were you going so fast?
Athena asked.
It's not me, it's the car,
he said
. It's just a fast car. I always wanted to have a Porsche, and now that I sold the company I got myself one. You don't realize how fast you are going, when you are driving a Porsche. If you don't believe me... how about I take you for a spin after this?
Athena forced a smile. She was aware that she was a very attractive woman, but she hated it, when they tried to flirt with her during a session.
The rules apply to everyone
, she said
, also to people with fast cars.
Sure,
he said,
but everybody bends the rules sometimes. Rules are for normal people. Of course there are laws, but I believe in individual judgement. I built my company from scratch. If I had followed the rules, I'd still be computer geek working in the back office. You seem like a very intelligent woman. I'm sure you have broken the rules before. It's just something you do, when you can.
I don't think I will be able to sign you off today,
Athena said
. My recommendation is that you complete the 10 week road safety course first.
Are you serious?
Robert laughed nervously.
I'm afraid so
, Athena said coldly. She had no patience for people like him.
Look, can we start over?,
he pleaded.
I think you got me all wrong...
I'm not a bad guy! The two off us, we got off to a bad start, that's all! I apologize. I'm a good driver, and I need to drive. I don't have the time to do this road safety course...
Are you aware of the concept of inferiority complex Mr Pout?
she asked.
Sure,
he said...
are you saying...
People like you,
Athena said,
suffer from the opposite. You have a confidence complex. You clearly think you are somehow superior, and that the law doesn't apply to you. And so I think you should take that 10 week programme, to learn a bit of humility.
Robert gulped. This was not the outcome he expected when he showed up here today. Getting his licence back was meant to be just a formality.
I'll give you a Β£1,000 if you let me pass
, he said.
You must be joking
! Athena shook her head.
Who do you think I am?
I get it,
Robert said, y
ou don't like me. But having to do this course would really mess my plans up. I've looked up your profile before I came here. I know that you do stuff around hypnotherapy to help people stop smoking. Can't you do the same here? Give me some hypnotherapy so I don't go over the speeding limit? And I'll pay you Β£1,000.
You want me to hypnotize you, so you drive less fast? That is not how it works... that is ridiculous... And it wouldn't work, because it's not the driving fast that is the problem, it's your confidence complex!
Then help me with that. It's worth a try. If it doesn't work, than fine. I'll still pay you the money. But I want you to understand that I'm willing to do whatever is possible to pass this examination today, and get my driving licence back.
He looked her straight into the eyes, pleadingly. He was an attractive man, in his late thirties. Athena was thinking...
maybe she should let him off the hook. Maybe she had got him wrong...
She was just about to give him another chance, when
she noticed that his eyes glimpsed for a second at her breasts.
Fuck it,
she thought
, let's teach him a lesson!
Okay,
she said.
If that's what you want, then I'll give it go.
--
He had drunk the mild sedative that she had given him, and was sitting on the couch. He didn't feel anything. He had tried hypnosis before, and it didn't work on him. But he wasn't going to tell her that... he would just play along, pretending, so he would get his licence back WITHOUT having to do this stupid course. She came back from the other room and sat down on the chair next to the couch he was lying on. She was a sexy girl, shame she wasn't into him... He started to feel a bit drowsy now.
I'm ready to start,
he said.
Great,
Athena said, with a wry smile.
But before we start, could I ask you to take your jacket, shoes and your watch off please?
Why?
Robert wanted to know.
Sometimes people make sudden moves under hypnosis,
Athena said
.
Robert took off his shoes, the jacket and placed his watch on the table.
Concentrate on my voice
, he heard her say
. I will count down from ten Robert and then your mind will fall into a nice and comforting sleep. In this sleep you will still be able to hear me and to answer me. You will feel very content and relaxed... I will start counting down now... ten...nine...eight...seven...six...five, four, three, two, one...
His eyes went shut, he was under! Athena smiled.
He was an easy subject...
g
ood!
Good. Now Robert, let's start your therapy.
I want to begin by you telling me all the things that come to your mind that give you confidence and that people envy you for...
Robert answered slowly:
My money, my Porsche my house, my Rolex, my brains, my cock...
'Thank you',
Athena said
, 'let me stop you right there, that's enough...'
She looked at the list he had given her... money, Porsche, house, Rolex, cock...